New Delhi: The Indian government is going to welcome Oman's senior defence official Nasser Al Zaabi to co-chair the Joint Military Cooperation Committee (JMMC) with Indian Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar, The Indian Express reported.
JMCC is the top forum of cooperation between India and Oman in the defence sector. It evaluates and guides defence exchanges between the two nations. Its annual meeting was not able to conduct after the 9th JMCC in 2018, which was held in Oman.
Al Zaabi, Secretary-General of Ministry of Defence to Oman Sultanate and the executive head of the Omani defence establishment, will be staying here from January 30 to February 4. India is reinforcing ties with Oman through accessing the latters' major port, Duqm, as well as providing Oman with logistical support. The country is aiming to increase its presence in the Indian Ocean region and to counter Chinese advancements.
The 10th JMCC is expected to work on defence ties between the two nations, with an in-depth evaluation of the ongoing defence exchanges. In 2018, India managed to acquire access to Duqum port, which intended to use against Chinese influence in the Indian Ocean region. India is working on operationalizing the port through a pact.
Al Zaabi is also expected to meet the Defence Minister of India, Rajnath Singh. Zaabi will be briefed with the Indian defence production industry.
After Zaabi's visit, there will be more visits from Oman, including the Chief of the Royal Navy of Oman (RNO) and the Chief of the Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO). There will be staff talks between the Indian Navy and Chief of RNO and a bilateral Air Force Exercise in Jodhpur.
Indian armed forces conduct bilateral exercises and staff talks only with Oman among Gulf countries. Oman supports India's navy in the Arabian Sea in anti-piracy missions.